Race Weekend

Table Rock Cycles was represented this past weekend as Jim and Amy hit the pavement and the pool in both the Valdese Triathlon and the Carrboro Classic Duathlon.

First up on Saturday was the Valdese tri, a sprint triathlon consisting of a 250-yard swim, 9-mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. Amy took up swimming for the first time in January in hopes of turning a good performance in her hometown event. After three months of training, her participation was suddenly in doubt last Tuesday night when she dislocated her right shoulder training in the pool. Much to the chagrin of her orthopaedist, she remained determined, and learned a new one-armed sidestroke in the two days prior to Saturday's race which enabled her to avoid using her bum shoulder. Quitting this close to the race was not an option.

Pre-race with said shoulder wrapped in a brace for support. Sitting with her is her son Addision, future triathlete and present Wii Lego Star Wars Jedi master.

The swim leg took place in the Valdese Aquatic Center and consisted of 10 laps of the pool, with competitors leaving at 10-second intervals. Amy's newly-learned side stroke kept her injured shoulder stable and injury-free during her 7 minute, 45 second effort.

Leaving the pool and headed for the transition area. The weather was still cool at this point in the morning, making for a chilly transition from the covered aquatic center.

Approaching her bike in the transition area.

Heading out for the bike leg. The race flyer described the 9-mile route as "the flattest 9 miles in Valdese." "Flattest" being a relative term, of course. The route was an unrelenting series of short, steep hills, making getting in a rhythm next to impossible.

Heading back toward town after the particularly steep climb up Cook Road. Amy is riding a Jamis Trilogy time trial frame spec'ed with Ultergra and Dura Ace kit and Easton EA90SL wheels. A disc cover on the rear wheel adds a little speed. The cranks were fitted with a 48-38 cyclocross setup to reduce shifting on the hills.

Back in the transition area following the 34 minute, 25 second bike effort.

Heading out of the transition area for the final running leg.

Heading home and about to cross the finish line after a 26:13 run.

At the finish. Amy's total time was good for 18th place out of 90 female competitors, anchored by a 9th-best cycling leg. In her age group, she finished fourth out of eleven. She finished first among those with only three usable limbs. An outstanding effort for a first triathlon and a brave and determined effort for having suffered a shoulder dislocation just four days prior.

With barely any time to savor Amy's effort, we packed up the car and headed east so I could compete in the Carrboro Classic duathlon on Sunday morning. The duathlon had both long and super sprint races, and I raced in the super sprint, comprised of a 2.5-mile run, 12-mile bike, and 1.5-mile run.

Heading out for the first running leg. My gleaming white legs reveal my British isles heritage and provide stark contrast with my black TRC jersey and shorts.

I included this photo because it shows off the Lake James Realty logo on the back. Polly Ledbdetter, of Lake James Realty, also made the drive to the Chapel Hill area to compete, dressed in her TRC jersey also. Thanks to Polly and LJR for their support of Table Rock Cycles and for making these fine jerseys possible.


Approaching the bike transition area after a surreal, un-Jim run time of 18:22 at a mile pace of 6:57. I'm not sure what caused my faster-than-usual run time, but maybe it was my smashing sweatband.

Heading back into the transition area after a 34:21 bike leg at an average speed of 21 mph.

I represented the FGP dudes by racing my TRC Soma, the only fixie in the race. Conspicuous in their absence are all the other bikes in my transition rack, still out on the course. I found that people riding geared bikes tend to be non-plussed when they get passed by a fixed-gear bike. My 42x14 gearing was perfect for the gently rolling hills.

Approaching the finish after a 10:08 final run leg at a 7:08 mile pace.

Compare and contrast: Amy at the finish of the triathlon: fresh, gas left in the tank, long, smooth stride, smiling. Jim at the end of the duathlon: well, this picture says it all. Nevertheless, my time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, 38 seconds was good for 23rd out of 161 competitors and first in my age group. No, that's not a misprint; I actually won an event in which there was more than one person entered in my age group.

Sometimes when you win you get a trophy.

Sometimes when you win, you get a gift card. Some hardware for my first age-group win would have been cool, but no worries. In all seriousness, the Carrboro Classic was a fun and well-organized event and capped off a great weekend of racing.

Valdese Triathlon results:
Females - www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_results&id=1224
Males - www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_results&id=1223

Carrboro Classic results:
www.endurancemag.com/eventproduction/CC09/CCSSAGE.HTM